Kandy stop Navy to reach Clifford Cup final

By Shamseer Jaleel

Defending Clifford Cup champions Kandy extended their winning streak and reached the finals of the knockout championship when they overcame a spirited Navy outfit by 37 points (2 goals, 4 tries, 1 penalty) to 27 points (2 goals, 2 tries, 1 penalty) in the second semi-finals, which was worked off at the Trinity College rugby stadium in Pallekelle yesterday.

At halftime Kandy led 34-10. Kandy as usual were in business very early in the game. Their three-quarter line was smooth in its movement. Navy found it difficult to put a stop to the powerful set of Kandy players. 

Richard Dharmapala, Vishwamithra Jayasinghe and Srinarth Sooriyabandara looked dangerous in attack, splitting the Navy defence at will. In forward play, Sayuru Anthony, Buwanka Udangamuwa, Kishore Jahn and Damith Dissanyake stood out for the upcountry club. For the sailors Chanaka Chandimal, Stefan Gregory, Thilina Weerasinghe and Sathya Ranathunge played their hearts out. 

Kandy dominated the first half but Navy stood out in the latter half, scoring 17 points to Kandy’s solitary penalty. 

Kandy defended most of the second half due to a powerful onslaught by the Sailors.

Kandy drew first blood early in the third minute of the game when their centre Richard Dharmapala scored on the far left corner through a sweeping three-quarter move. Nigel Ratwatte missed the conversion. 

A few minutes later the Sailors equalised through a Nivanka Prasad try which also went unconverted by fullback Thilina Weerasinghe. 

In the next move Kandy hooker Damith Dissnayake powered his way for a forwards try. Ratwatte failed to add the extra two points. Five minutes later Kandy fullback Sooriyabandara dummied his way to score under the posts. Ratwatte added the extra two points to take the lead 17-5. 

Nivanka Prasad’s try helped the Sailors closing the gap to 17-10. In the next move, through another forwards’ rush, Kandy Number 8 Buwanka Udangamuwa powered his way through for a handy try. Kandy, who kept on attacking the Navy half, scored through hooker Damith Dissanayake. Ratwatte was on target with the kick at goal to push the lead to 29-10. On the stroke of halftime Ratwatte touched down to leave the score reading 34-10 in Kandy’s favour.

After the turnaround it was total domination by the Sailors, who scored two converted tries and had a huge territorial advantage. Navy fullback Thilina Weerasinghe put over a penalty while Chanaka Chandimal and Stefan Gregory touched down. Both tries were successful converted by Thilina Weerasinghe. Kandy, trying to slow down the game, put over a penalty by Arshard Jamaldeen.

The game was refereed by Tim Baker from Hong Kong. Kandy and CR&FC will now battle it out in the Clifford Cup finals on 26 March at the Race Course rugby grounds.